An advanced water purification system developed in the Mayagüez University Campus (Rum) of the Puerto Rico University (UPR) will undertake, this Wednesday, a unique trip to the International Space StationL (ISS) in what researchers describe as “a dream come true.”
The project that uses nanostructured polymer membranes for water purification at the International Space Station, would be released at 7:48 pm, Puerto Rico time, as part of the “Nasa’s Spacex Crew-10” mission.
However, the launch was postponed 45 minutes before takeoff due to a problem with the hydraulic arms that hold the Falcon 9 rocket to the platform. At the moment, the new release date was not reported.
“It’s a dream actually made! There are no words to describe what it feels like to be here hours that our research travels in space. The experiment is already in the rocket and it is an incredible and unique sensation to anticipate that this night will be in orbit, ”said the doctor David Suleiman PinkDirector and Professor of the Department of Chemical Engineering (INQU) of Rum.
The experiment, developed in the Suleiman Rosado laboratory, is the second project created in Puerto Rico and gestated in the Rum that will travel to space.
“This opportunity to send our research to space is unique and can change lives. We are very proud because this investigation is the result of years of work in the synthesis of nanostructured polymers and membranes, ”he said, in written statements, Suleiman pink from Cabo Cañaveral, where he places the John F. Kennedy Space Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (POT).
“We have developed an advanced separation system that seeks to recycle water in space, a vital resource for future long -term missions. This system is designed to capture salts, inactivate microorganisms and, the most difficult, separate the urea from water, a highly complex process due to the similarity of the molecules, ”he added.
According to him National Cancer Institute of the National Health Institutes (NIH), Urea is the substance that is formed by the decomposition of protein in the liver. The kidneys then filter the urea of the blood, which is expelled from the body through urine.
Suleiman Rosado explained that, during the development of the project, a system of Direct Osmosisor forced, to improve the efficiency in the separation of urea, and this will be tested in the ISS.
According to NIH, direct osmosis is a membrane separation technology for water treatment and recovery.
“We have designed polymeric membranes with ionic nanocanal that facilitate the selective separation of compounds. When we start, we find many challenges, because the separation of urea is extremely complicated. However, we managed to develop an engineering strategy that allows to break the molecular attractions and reach 99.9 percent water recovery ”Suleiman Rosado said.
The doctor explained that the execution of the experiment will be in charge of a NASA astronaut, who “will insert cartridges, activate the pump and perform the procedure following a simple protocol.”
“Our design seeks to minimize your workload and guarantee reliable results”he said.
The professor stressed that the investigation could have significant applications on Earth.
The results obtained could help develop better separation systems using membranes, with applications in water purification, the separation of gases and liquids, and in biomedical technologies such as hemodialysis.
The doctor also pointed out that the low energy consumption of the system is made by an attractive alternative compared to the current distillation methods used in ISS.
“If we can improve this technology in extreme conditions such as space, you can have revolutionary applications on Earth, especially in communities with limited access to drinking water,” he said.
The technology was initially developed with NASA funds. Now, it is funded by the Trust for Science, Technology and Research of Puerto Ricoas part of your Advanced Research Subsidies Program: Space Edition. It also has the support of Rhodium Scientific, COMMERCIAL SERVICES OF THE ISS for Biotechnology Missions.
The professor, in turn, highlighted the participation of graduated and subgraduated students in the development of the project.
“Students are the heart of everything. The doctoral candidate, Juan Camilo Rivera Díazhas led the project with an impressive commitment. During Christmas, even with electrical interruptions, he continued working on experiments to improve our membranes. Those details and dedication make a difference in science, ”he said.
For its part, Rivera Díaz, a native of ColombiaHe said he felt excited and nervous.
“We were very meticulous with all the work we did and now what we develop will be tested. The opportunity to participate in this project represents the cusp of my professional career. I always wanted to be a scientist and with this unique opportunity will be a before and after, ”said the doctoral candidate.
Meanwhile, the doctor Agustín Rullán ToroRum rector, indicated that achievement reaffirms the talent, creativity and commitment of the academic community.
“Seeing how an investigation developed in the Mayagüez University Campus contributes to the progress of space exploration is a testimony of the potential and the ability of our faculty and students,” he outlined.
Similarly, the doctor Miguel A. Muñoz Muñozinterim president of the UPR, celebrated the moment.
“This innovative achievement, which highlights the talent and dedication of our scientists, not only highlights the academic excellence of the Mayagüez university enclosure, but also positions our institution as a world reference in scientific and technological research,” he said.